Evergreen plans to use the Adriatic Port of Trieste to link the container shipping trade between the Far East and Southern Germany, in a bid to avoid congestion at busy northern European ports and lower costs for shippers.

"In comparison to the busy northern European ports, Trieste is congestion-free with the benefits of faster transit times between the heart of Europe and the Far East and cheaper tariffs," said Pier Luigi Maneschi, chairman of Italia Marittima SpA, speaking on behalf of Evergreen.

The shipping line will provide a port-to-door service across southern Germany by combining its existing ADR Far East-Adriatic service with a dedicated block train connection from Trieste to Munich, a company statement said.

The Trieste-Munich train will first run twice a week in both directions, gradually increasing to five times a week by the end of the year. Northbound trains will depart Trieste Tuesdays and Fridays while southbound connections leave Munich-Riem Thursdays and Saturdays. Transit time is 11 hours.

Evergreen's ADR service deploys seven 3,150-TEU vessels on a 49-day rotation calling at Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Aexandria Dekheila, Taranto, Rijeka, Trieste, Koper, Taranto, Tanjung Pelepas and Shanghai.

Outbound from Germany the train connection with Trieste allows shippers to reach markets in the East Mediterranean and Far East.

"The speed and convenience of Evergreen Line's ADR service combined with the new direct shuttle train between Trieste and Munich-Riem adds a direct link to Vienna and Budapest to the already existing services offered from Koper and Trieste," added Mr Maneschi.